Patient expectations of bariatric surgery are gender specific—a prospective, multicenter cohort study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.soard.2014.02.040
• Publication Date: 2014-03-17T00:01:08Z
• Authors: Lars Fischer; Felix Nickel; Johannes Sander; Alexander Ernst; Thomas Bruckner; Beate Herbig; Markus W. Büchler; Beat P. Müller-Stich; Rune Sandbu
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Bariatric Surgery; Comorbidity; Middle Aged; Self Efficacy; Body Mass Index; Obesity, Morbid; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Sex Factors; Sleep Apnea Syndromes; 0302 clinical medicine; Patient Satisfaction; Germany; Surveys and Questionnaires; Hypertension; Weight Loss; Humans; Female; Prospective Studies; Follow-Up Studies

The effect of bariatric surgery on weight loss and improvement of co-morbidities is no longer doubted. However, little attention has been given to the treatment goals from the patient's point of view (patient expectations). The objective of this study was to examine patients' expectations of bariatric surgery and identify gender differences.Bariatric patients were asked to complete a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Wilcoxon rank sum test.Overall, 248 patients participated in this study (69.4% females). The male patients (45.2 yr, SD±11.1) were significantly older than the female (41.8 yr, SD±12.0; P = .04) and suffered significantly more often from diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and sleep apnea. One hundred thirty patients (52.4%) expected to lose at least 45 kg and 39 patients (15.7%)>70 kg. The mean expected excess weight loss was 71.8%. Females expected significantly more often that surgery alone would induce weight loss (P = .03). "Improved co-morbidity" was by far the highest ranked parameter.The male bariatric surgery patients were older and suffered from more co-morbidities. Most of the patients had unrealistic weight loss goals and overestimated the effect of the surgical intervention. However, for both female and male patients, "improved co-morbidity" was the most important issue.